Shiv Sena (UBT) parliamentarian Sanjay Raut has sharply criticized the Indian government’s reluctance to mourn Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed in an alleged American-Israeli attack, warning of dire consequences for Middle East stability. ‘Khamenei commanded universal respect, bar Israel,’ Raut stated, painting a picture of a leader revered on the global stage.
Recounting historical solidarity, Raut pointed to Iran’s steadfast alliance with India through crises like the Pakistan conflicts and Kashmir disputes. This partnership, he said, was personified by Khamenei himself, a known admirer of Jawaharlal Nehru.
The MP questioned New Delhi’s timidity: ‘Why fear expressing grief? Is it Israel or Trump holding us back?’ He advocated for official condolences as a moral and diplomatic imperative.
To bolster his argument, Raut invoked Nelson Mandela, who met Khamenei and called him a leader without repercussions. ‘Respecting friends doesn’t equate to defeat—it’s strength,’ he told PM Modi and the BJP.
Raut warned that sidelining such honors damages India’s global standing. Khamenei’s death leaves a void felt worldwide, especially in India, where ties run deep. Beyond partisanship, he called for prioritizing diplomacy, friendship, and India’s honorable traditions in international relations.